Fri, 04 Nov 2016 01:18:46 -0700WeeblyFri, 26 Aug 2011 21:48:47 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/atco-on-raising-costsHello Angie,I appreciate the opportunity to clarify ATCO Electric’s intention to recover costs to repair the utility system after the wildfires in Northern Alberta. With services interrupted to more than 6,800 of our customers, it was one of the largest emergencies ATCO Electric has responded to in our 80 year history. More than 200 of our people worked tirelessly to repair electrical facilities and restore power to homes and businesses when residents were allowed to return. It has affected many of us deeply and personally. More than 100 of our people who live and work in the area were evacuated; sadly 24 lost their homes. We understand the difficulties that our customers are facing. Fortunately, events the magnitude of the Slave Lake and area fires are rare. While we don’t routinely experience emergencies of this scale, emergencies are a routine part of our business. Utility systems regularly sustain damage from fires, snow storms, lightning strikes, etc. and it is normal to recover repair costs from customers. They are considered regular costs of providing electrical service. Like many utilities, ATCO Electric does not carry insurance to cover these type of losses as either the insurance is unavailable or associated premiums are exceptionally high. With the approval of the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC), which regulates ATCO Electric, such risks are managed through a self-insured reserve fund. It is general business practice for companies of all types to build the cost of such risks, whether they are premiums paid to insurers or self-insurance, into the costs of their goods and services. The reserve fund process has long been considered a prudent way of managing the cost of these events as an alternative to costly insurance premiums. As a regulated utility, ATCO Electric will apply to the reserve fund through its next regular rate application to the AUC. Through public rate application proceedings, the AUC will decide how much we can recover and over what time period. AUC-approved costs will then be shared by all of our customers. It is important to note that the reserve fund costs are spread over the Utility’s entire customer base, not just the affected community or customers. We will not know the impact to customers until we prepare our next regular rate application and it has been approved by the AUC. I can assure you that when we prepare the application, we will be mindful of the impact to our customers. For example, we may propose recovering the costs over a longer period to minimize the impact on our customers in Slave Lake and across Alberta.

Kris SakowskyVice President Engineering and ConstructionAfter Recieving this email, I replied with these questions... and Kris answered back promptly with these answers.Are you able to predict how much approx that bills will be going up and for how long?The impact to customers, if any, will not be known until we prepare our next regular rate application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) and the AUC ultimately makes a final decision. Through public rate application proceedings, the AUC will decide how much we can recover and over what time period. The timing of our next rate application has not yet been determined. The AUC determination is typically issued a few months following our application.When you reference customer base is that all of Alberta?Any cost recovery would be shared among all ATCO Electric’s ratepayers. That is, all ATCO Electric customers across our full service area.This fund that is set up, can it cover some of your costs so not all costs land on Albertans? If so, how much generally is covered in terms of percentage loss?Each application the Alberta Utilities Commission to recover utility costs undergoes a rigorous regulatory and public process. At the conclusion of that process, the AUC makes a decision about what, if any, costs will be recovered. Each application is decided upon its own merit. ]]>Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:34:36 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/your-issues-and-questions-raisedI sent an email to Hon. Hector Goudreau, Minister of Municipal Affairs with some concerns about what went on immediately after the SL fire. Many of you commented about the lack of communication, etc that was available for you, and even for the evacuation centers. Here was the response.Dear Ms. McConnell: Thank you for your July 7, 2011 email regarding communications services within the Slave Lake area. As Minister of Municipal Affairs, I am pleased to respond. There has been a tremendous amount of work done to support recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Slave Lake area. It will take many people working together to ensure that this area is returned to its pre-disaster state. Local officials have teamed up to create a Joint Municipal Council. They co-ordinate the sharing of public information on the recovery and rebuild through the official Slave Lake recovery website, www.slavelakerecovery.com, a dedicated phone line and regular public meetings. There are a number of community partners that will be important to a successful rebuild and recovery in the Slave Lake area. This includes grassroots volunteers, like you, who are providing alternate ways to distribute information beyond municipal communications and media relations efforts. Thank you again for writing. Sincerely, Hector Goudreau Minister of Municipal Affairs MLA, Dunvegan-Central PeaceVague reply hey? I find it not fair at all, that a government official could not answer any of your questions, and furthermore that his office is giving us information we already know in a carbon copy email. Now that there are no more Q & A sessions at meetings, its even harder to get your questions answered. So I replied with this, to not only him, but to MLA's Pearl Calahassen, Doug Horner & Gary Mar (candidates for the PC leadership position), and my MLA, as well as MLAs from the evacuation areas (Athabasca and Westlock.) Let's hope this time your questions will be answered. I will keep you posted!Mr. Goudreau, Ms. Calahassen and Mr. Olson;

Thank you for your reply, however, the main issues I have brought up in that previous email and the ones I still am worried about have not been addressed. I have cc'd some extra MLAs and party leader candidates, and MLAs of the effected areas on this email, so when sessions resume, maybe they can be brought up further. These, and the newer issues include:

1. What will happen with communications to the residents of Slave Lake and area - especially about their lots, etc once the appointed communications lead leaves Slave Lake;

2. The main concern: Lack of communication to the public and residents as to how to get help, where to go, etc during the initial days right after the fire. Have heard this issue brought up a ton! I love my website, and am glad to have created it, and through it and the Slave Lake Community Message Board (run by 2 volunteers on facebook,) we got what we could out. But there was a lot of lack in communications personelle to help the residents and the general public with how to help, where to get help, what to do, where to donate, who to call, etc. To give you an idea, I was getting between 300-500 emails per day myself with those types of questions.

3. Another issue, I may have not previous brought up, is the readiness and lack of planning for disasters in towns, cities, md's and counties, and the lack of communication between each if one has to evacuate to another. In speaking with some officials that were running evacuation centers, they were thrown into roles they were not trained for, had no idea what to do - and when asking the government about this, the reply was "in accordance with disaster planning and evacuation scenarios, each is left to their own to coordinate what to do, where to go, how to get word out to residents, etc in the event of a disaster." Yet our towns and mds have no training in this. After this disaster, will there be more proactive planning by the government to help train individuals and workers of mds/towns/counties/cities in disaster planning, and furthermore to protect the residents of Alberta, will there be a government employee who goes over each plan to ensure all steps are covered off? And that these places have communicated to their evacuation destination that they are named as such, and that the evacuation destination is prepared for these evacuees?

I am not trying to point fingers at what went wrong, what happened is in the past, and now a future is what is being worked towards for the residents of Slave Lake and MD #124. The funding and help our government supplied was amazing.However, my worry is that nothing will be done to further prevent the confusion surrounding the first 1-2 weeks after the fire. 4. A new issue: energy costs. Atco is going to be raising prices to re-coup their losses during the fire. With already soaring energy and gas costs, how is the government going to aim to protect consumers? Especially those in that region who are dealing with massive costs already. 5. The insurance industry. Search out any social media site where Slave Lake residents are on, and you hear one thing: the insurance industry is being difficult - primarily 2 companies in particular. Adjusters are disappearing on 1 - 2 - 3 week holidays without telling clients, etc. Adjusters approving quotes than going back on their word. Ones working from BC on Slave Lake claims, who are not helping one bit. Can the Alberta Government aid in cracking down on these people? I know they can be reported to a branch of the government but can something be done to possibly show them that the Alberta Government will not tolerate abuse of this sort of their citizens? 6. Rent control. Due to this disaster, rent is doubling and tripling in Slave Lake, forcing residents to leave their homes because they cannot afford to live and rent anymore. Sadly, gouging has become a reality, as it did at the height of the Alberta boom. Perhaps as one of the most popular provinces to find work, in conjunction with our industries coming back after the recession, it is time to look at implimenting a bill to address this major issue. Ontario has an effective rent control policy, where renters have more rights than provided with our landlord and tennacy act.

I would be willing to even give a detailed account of what I heard that could best be avoided and planned for next time, for example - the evacuation centers not having government disaster officials come and help until over one week after the evacuation. Smith's evacuation center had a team come from Red Deer and take over after the initial 8-9 days that people were evacuated. Also, donation centers. The non-government organizations and even evacuation centers communicated through me as to what they wanted, what to stop bringing, etc. Maybe next time, a communications post who is in touch with all areas in need (as I was) could be set up. Luckily grassroots efforts like myself and another facebook group set up to help, but in terms of having any official word, we couldn't do that and next time, there might not be anyone in our position who jumps up to help.

I look forward to hearing your reply.

Angie McConnellwww.rebuildslavelake.com ]]>Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:05:46 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1COUNTRY SINGER PAUL BRANDT TO VISIT SLAVE LAKE IN ADVANCE OF BENEFIT CONCERTCountry music star to learn more about the devastation and where help is most needed WHAT: Canadian Country music singer Paul Brandt will be visiting the community of Slave Lake, Alberta on Friday, August 12th to meet with local business leaders and citizens, and get a first-hand perspective of how their lives have been affected by the fires that ripped through the town on May 15th, 2011. Brandt will tour the town and participate in various meetings as he prepares for his “Up from the Ashes” benefit concert, taking place at the Winspear Centre in Edmonton, Alberta on Wednesday, September 14th, 2011.

Proceeds from the benefit concert will go towards a building project in Slave Lake, which will be officially announced at a later date. ]]>Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:36:37 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/josh-wood-live-from-the-town-hall-meeting-august-10-2011Progress report

Demo progress to date-July 28 peace hills contractors has completed ash removal from all their properties. -Aug 2 specs contractor has completed 56 lots; 24 more with concrete removed and 42 more consolidated.-Aug 7 specs contractor began consolidation of final sections of zone 2. Parkdale and north side of 6 ave se. -Aug 8. Eval uations to begin geotech drilling on all properties; other activities shut down, awaiting ash and soil test results. -Evaluations still targeting completion by aug 31-Specs still targeting completion sept 30.-24 lots released for construction in zone 3 today!-Specs is still shooting for aug 15 for zones 1-3 to be cleared for construction.

Prior to lot permit necessary steps.-Check slavelakerecovery.com-Needed are development permits and safety permits

Can I bring a modular home or rtm?Yes. Check land bylaw before purchasing!

Do I have to have a basement?No, basement or crawl space as long as it's legal.

Does the variance that belonged to my previous home still exist?No. The variance allowed previously was for that specific home an no longer applies.Out of town labor costs expected to jump labour costs of building by 37%. 280 000 home to rise to 343 000 or downsizing your home from 1400 sq ft to 1145 sq ft.

Working to a very compressed schedule. ]]>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:04:35 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/brian-jean-on-why-the-federal-government-hasnt-helped-financially-yet- From Member of Parliament Brian Jean's Website....Once again I am amazed at the resiliency of Northern Albertans, the people I am proud to represent in Ottawa. If the devastating wildfires that consumed a significant portion of Slave Lake weren’t enough, now they have been hit with flooding due to the recent heavy rainfalls. But Slave Lake citizens haven’t given up; they simply dug in and are assisting each other to deal with this latest blow.

I have had several queries regarding the Government of Canada’s responsibility in rebuilding Slave Lake and would like to clarify my role. Because the Slave Lake disasters fall under provincial jurisdiction, we have no authority to help in issues that are constitutionally all the province’s jurisdiction unless requested to do so by the Province of Alberta.

I have been working with the Province of Alberta and Mayor Pillee-Kinney since residents were evacuated. I’ve spoken to Prime Minister Harper and all concerned Ministers on several occasions. I have also written letters of support as requested by the Mayor regarding Slave Lake's housing issues and her proposed solutions.

I invite you to read about the Government of Canada’s Disaster Fund Assistance Arrangements:

I believe Appendix B contains information of interest. As the DFAA explains, federal assistance comes in the form of repayment to the province.

We are waiting for more specific details from the Minister of Public Safety and will forward that information when we receive it.

Hopefully this clarifies my efforts on behalf of Slave Lake residents during this worrisome time. ]]>Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:01:10 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/post-title-click-and-type-to-editThe best solutions to the challenges facing Canada’s communities are often found locally. For this reason, in January 2011, the Prime Minister announced the creation of the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards to recognize the enormous contribution volunteers make to Canada. The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of volunteers, local businesses and innovative not-for-profit organizations in improving the well-being of families and their communities.The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards program consists of 17 awards in total, 2 at the national level and 15 at the regional level. The Awards highlight best practices in community leadership and encourage partnerships across sectors. The goal of the Awards is to inspire Canadians from all walks of life to find new ways of making a difference in their communities.Of the 17 awards will be given in total, 3 for each region in the categories below and 2 national awards for Lifetime Achievement and Emerging Leaders: -Community Leader (for individuals, or groups) -Business Leader (for businesses) -Social Innovator (for not-for-profit organizations) Nominations are open to any Canadian, business or not-for-profit organizations who have donated their time, energy or expertise – not including political activities.

If you know a volunteer, innovative not-for-profit organization or a local business that makes a positive impact on your community, you can nominate them today! Nominations are open until September 9, 2011.Know someone you would like to nominate? Click here! ]]>Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:11:57 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/dragon-boat-races-to-help-slave-lake- Article from the Calgary Heraldhttp://www.calgaryherald.com/life/Dragon+Boat+charity+event+help+Slave+Lake+fire+victims/5197395/story.htmlThis year's Dragon Boat Festival will include a charity race to raise money for the Red Cross Slave Lake Relief Fund.The festival runs Saturday and Sunday at North Glenmore Park with over 750 competitors expected to participate.On Sunday, a four-team race will be held to raise funds for residents of Slave Lake affected by the wildfire that destroyed much of the town in May.Competing will be a government team made up of Calgary MLAs, MPs and city aldermen; an Alberta Party team that includes members of the Bearspaw Band and Tsuu T'ina Nation; a Red Cross team; and a squad made up of festival volunteers.The charity race is also being presented by Calgary Reaches Out and is scheduled to start at 11: 30 a.m. on Sunday.Participants will raise money through pledges.Festival racing goes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.For more information, visit chinatowncalgary.com/dragonboat.

July 19. Began trucking concrete from individual lot stock piles to staging areas for crushing east of caribou trail, north of CN.

July 20. Eval-uations (peace hills) contractor began demolition of their clients properties in zones 1,2,3 and then proceed to 4.

July 28. Specs contractor will begin consolidation in zone 4.***Zone 4 has been cleared for demo.

Very important to hand in completed authorization form for demolition!

Temporary staging area for metal scrap stockpile is at Parkdale way.

Peace hills believes to be done demo in 2-3 weeks for their property's. Expectation zone 1-3 demo completed by Aug 15. Zone 4 demo is expected to be complete by sept 30.

Insurers, contractors and home owners are now in control and setting the pace of recovery. Town of slave lake has given the go ahead...

-Schedule for demo shows a considerable slower pace of demo than may be possible. -Photos are being shown of piles of debris. -Trees and wood materials are being chipped and hauled to a power plant for use as a fuel. -Metal bailer is being used at parkdale SE. -Concrete to crushing...

Labour cost impact. Increase labour cost is estimated at 33%bringing a 190 000 home to 250 000$!Bringing average build cost to 243$ per square foot.July 18 meeting with SL home building contractors. Builders will attempt a unified approach to providing reasonable cost accommodation for skilled tradesmen we need to bring from the outside. Town is going to have a high level discussion with insurance industry to discuss this issue.

Red Cross Update. Role in the community. Continuing to assess individual needs. 1359 open cases red cross is providing help to. Bookings are currently 2 weeks in advance for needs assessment. Community outreach to the md's and aboriginal communities. Committed to 2 year presence. Committed to provide support. Future needs are difficult to predict. $3 million raised.Initial proposed budget is $3.7 million. Still encouraging donations to reach goal. Support is provided for needs not the wants of individuals.

What has been spent?$122 000 furniture, 75 fridges. $115 000 food$52 000 clothing$14 000 occupational needs such as tools, boots$10 000 emergency lodging$1000 to help support town of slave lake annual Canada day family event. Funds to cover the cost of hiring a summer student to run children's recreations programs in slave lake. Challenge being faced is accommodations. Office space for red cross is likely to be donated as well as office furniture. Large photo copier donated to red cross. Keeping administrative fees low.AB infrastructureProviding up to 350 housing units.

Invitational request for proposals went to 9 different companies. Received 4 proposals. ...Determined the proposals are to high in cost.

On July 13 gov of AB decided it will deliver the interim housing units within the same timelines as proposed.

Sites were selected to address the desires of the town to retain park land. 16 units to md. Ball diamond site developed for 94 permanent sites. Grading of site is taking place. Don't expect completed until mid nov. Lot 78 will accommodate 116 units. Land cleared. Moving on this site as one of highest priorites. Units avaialable in sept.

Lot 88 is proposed to accommodate 140 units. Expected ready mid sept.Housing UpdateAt the moment there are 721 households in the database. Numbers have been gathered on how many people in each household. Single persons will have a roommate or two.

Based on number of residents per unit.66 four bedroom units207 three bedroom units239 couples units-duplexes185 singles. Shared accommodation22 households unknown.

149 households are self placed. 572 are remaining. - 105 are on EAP =467 remaining that require long term housing.67 units ordered, some placed

Category 1 for priorityFamilies with school aged children220 households33 are self placed

***Peace hills insurance had not joined with the other insurance companies.

"Progress-made" summary. Town water system restoredEct up till latest things accomplished. June 29 Demolition contractors chosenJuly 4 zone 1-3 cleared for demoJuly 5 ab environment agree to redcucle concrete. Doesn't have to be disposed in landfillJuly 7 specs began demo in zone 2 as it was easier to begin thereTomorrow zone 1 demo will start. Zone 3 will begin tomorrow as well. July 25 peace hills will begin there demo. Take a couple of weeks.

Having homeowners complete authorization form is critical

Zone 1-3 gas and power has been deenergizedZone 4 by July 15Aug 27 demo zone 4. Conservative schedule. May start earlier.

Solid waste management facility is possible pinch point. Unprecedented Burden on landfillHas been made better with the recycling of concrete.

X 370 equalsLabor 2.035 millions man hours Concrete 31500 tonnesDimensional lumber 3.145 million board feetSheathing 2.60 million square feetInsurance update. Extensions on "1 year" in your policies if it is necessary. Biggest issue is make sure to sign auth form for demo!Red cross update. Located recovery center at nlc. Needs assesments avaialable with appointment. Immediate and unmet needs are assessed. 15000 individuals registered. 224 volunteers 3$ million donatedFunds used to Meet basic needs of individualsIn the event that the community does not need the money it will be allocated to somewhere else.Housing task forcePhase 1 - 60 units have been placed. All in md so farStart placement in town next week

phase 2 -Industry / town joint venture housing initiative.

Land location possibilitiesLot 78 on caribouGov land south of tracks and east on hwy 88Sinclair park is backup land

Ab housing update. Worked with over 100 in hotels and worked through with people to find places to stay.

Pictures can be picked up of houses prior to demolition.Q&AQ Who is eligible or housing and when? Waiting 2 months... Don't want answer in sept. Wasted 3 months sitting....A: some work on trying to determine answer. Nothing published. 350 units available to all people insured or uninsured. Available to everybody. Priority is for families with children. Phased filling of interim housing.

Q: Took 2 weeks to empty basements of contents. Why so long to clear basement Foundations?A: Next question pls

Q: Work camps for builders and tradespeople?A: ...

Q: Is Hilden eben park under rezoning?A: You will see a lot of rezoning. Shotgun approach used. Takes 3 weeks to rezone. Hilden eben park is not in the table for trailer park. Town needs green spaces too.

Q: How will people know if they qualify for interim housing? Enough housing for everyone?A: Every evacuee who lost home is eligible for housing. 200 found alternate accommodations or relocated. Intention is to house everyone by end of septQ: I objected to a permanent trailer park. Do not want in Hilda eben park. How can you decide to make it a trailer park without letting us know. A: Can't tell what your best option is until after you look at all your options.

Maunder- Q: Hilda Eben park motion is off table? Need formal confirmation. A: You will receive confirmation soon. Unaware that this was a major concern.

Maunder - Q: 1 year limit on insurance is likely to be extended. Pls confirm this. A: Meetings this weeks. Issue is on the table to be taken care of.

Q: What will be done to house tradesmen?A: Thinking that is private industry. Understand concern. Continue to consider.

Q: Hoping by sept for housing, but when will we know? Need time to get furniture...A: Contractor assigned within next few days. Decisions will be made regarding this soon. Once contract is locke down. These numbers will be discussed. Trailers will have 5 basic appliances.

Q: Who's is paying for new subdivision? Citizens on hook for paying for this?A: Request to cabinet for money. Not approved yet. No financing available for this subdivision available today. Q: Information isn't getting out fast enough.A: Phone 780 805 8100 ...For news updates. Message to be by 10am recorded daily. As news becomes available.

Q: Why is red cross holding so much money and still people have needs and no where to stay.A: Meeting basic unmet needs. Distinguish difference between needs and wants.

Q: Why do we have to leave slave lake? People no longer in hotels are offered to be out up in Edmonton. A: Housing will be available by sept. Last people left in hotels, 1 option was to relocate in Edmonton.Rotary club is back to assist with heavy demand to receive donations for town. Charitable tax receipts for donations are in place337 980.01$ receivedMoney is used to better slave lake community. If insurance is inadequate for damage done to fire trucks, rotary will step in. ]]>Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:46:59 GMThttp://www.rebuildslavelake.com/blog/charity-ride-for-slave-lakeKevin Robins is currently trying to set a world record by biking across Canada in less than 24 days. He has done the ride two times before, and is now trying to raise money to help the victims of the Slave Lake fires. He has partnered with the Canadian Red Cross to deliver the funds upon completion of the ride. If you wish to donate, please do so using the following link (Red Cross will provide you with a tax receipt via e-mail):